Chapter One: Switzerland

The Bauer Family

When I arrived at the airport in Zurich I was greeted straight away by Ursula and Wolfgang Bauer, the parents of Eva and Viola -- all of whom I had never met.

Viola Bauer has been a distant acquaintance of the Cameron family since Yukima met up with her many years ago in Zurich, whilst traveling around the world.

Several weeks before I left for my own round-world trip we got word from Eva that she was planning to travel to Australia for six months. She wanted to stay with us in Melbourne for three months while partaking in an English-language course.

And so it transpired that I was to meet the whole Bauer family in Eva's home town of Zurich, merely weeks before she herself ventured to my side of the world.

Wolfgang and Eva Bauer, relaxing in a riverside cafe on the morning that I arrived in Zurich.

Eva sitting at a small table in a very popular vegetarian restaurant called Tibits. Unlike in Melbourne, smoking is allowed in most public venues, including those that serve food. I know that this would come as an unpleasant surprise to many non-smoking Melbournians, who have grown accustomed to the strict anti-smoking laws of Victoria.

Tibits restaurant on a cold Zurich evening.

Wolfgang Bauer.

Ursula Bauer, reading a magazine in the little apartment building that I stayed in while I was with the Bauer's. Viola Bauer and her good friend Julia live in this apartment.

The warmth inside Viola and Julia's apartment contrasts with the cold, damp and rainy atmosphere pervading the city of Zurich.

Virgil and Wolfgang In Viola's apartment.

The early evening sunshine, at 3.30 in the afternoon, paints a golden backdrop over the southern hills beside Zurich Lake, as Eva shows me around the sights of this beautiful city.

Viola in the living room of her small and beautiful inner-city apartment.